HTC One Nexus (Google Edition): 5 Things You Need to Know

Today, after a bit of a wait, Google unleashed the HTC One Nexus upon the Google Play Store, a device that is also known as the HTC One Google Edition. The device, like its Galaxy S4 Nexus counterpart, is an extremely tempting device for those in the market for a new device, particularly an Android smartphone. Here, we take a look at the most important things to know about the new HTC One Nexus.

At Google I/O 2013, Google announced a new Nexus smartphone. It wasn’t the Nexus 5 or a white Nexus 4, rather, it was a Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus also known as the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition. Shortly after the conclusion of Google I/O, rumors of an HTC One Nexus sprouted up and several weeks later, Google made its plans official.

The HTC One Nexus is now on sale.

During the D11 conference in Palos Verdes, California, Android head Sundar Pichai announced another Nexus smartphone, known as the HTC One Nexus or HTC One Google Edition. The device, like the Samsung Galaxy S4, would go on sale on the Google Play Store on June 26th alongside the current Nexus smartphone from Google, the Nexus 4.

That was several weeks ago and today is now June 26th. At 10AM this morning, Google finally put the HTC One Nexus up for sale along with the Galaxy S4 Nexus, ushering in a new era of Nexus smartphone options for both Android enthusiasts and average consumers. Like the Nexus 4 and Galaxy S4 Nexus, the HTC One Nexus is an attractive option and one that should be on the radar of those that are not only looking at the HTC One but Android smartphones in general.

It possesses a number of attractive features including a 4.7-inch 1080p screen, quad-core processor, Ultrapixel camera, full metal design, and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, a vanilla version of it. However, consumers will need to look beyond the specifications to truly understand the power, and drawbacks of this device.

That said, here are the five most important things to know about about the HTC One Nexus (Google Edition).

No Expanded Storage

All smartphones have their drawbacks and the HTC One Nexus, despite its Nexus qualities, is no different. The first thing that consumers should know is that it comes with 32GB of internal storage and 32GB of internal storage only. There is no expansion beyond that thanks to its unibody metal design that incluces no microSD card slot.

Instead, users will have to rely on the internal storage and the cloud, something that for some people, won’t be a problem, but for others, could present some issues down the road.

It’s something to keep in mind, particularly when the Galaxy S4 Nexus has a microSD card slot for expanded storage.

No Faster Upgrades, It Seems

One of the biggest benefits that we thought would come with the HTC One Nexus would be faster Android updates. The device possesses vanilla Android software and an unlocked bootloader, features that come with other Nexus devices. However, it appears that there will be a middle man involved when it comes to updates.

This is a bit strange, considering that Google never mentioned that aspect and left buyers under the impression that these were going to receive quick updates. Until an actual update rolls out, it’s impossible to say what’s what, but at this point, it appears that these devices will be a Nexus but only when it comes to vanilla Android and unlocked bootloaders.

$50 Cheaper, $300 More Expensive

The Nexus 4 is far cheaper than the HTC One Nexus.

The HTC One Nexus is actually $50 cheaper than the Galaxy S4 Nexus, likely due to its lack of a microSD card slot. However, that doesn’t mean it’s cheap. In fact, the HTC One Nexus costs $600, $300 more than the 8GB Nexus 4 that is currently available on the Google Play Store unlocked and ready to go.

This $600 price tag does mean that consumers will not have to sign a contract but it also is going to be a big up front cost, a cost that many people won’t be able to afford. The price tag also means that it’s $400 more expensive than the on-contract prices of the HTC One through carriers like AT&T and Sprint and likely through Verizon as well.

U.S. Only, For Now

Those that live outside the United States that are wondering where HTC One Nexus is will be unhappy to find out that the HTC One Nexus is a U.S. only device right now. HTC has told Gotta Be Mobile that it may be released in other regions in the future though that isn’t confirmed.

Likely, it depends on whether the device sells well or not and at this point, given that it’s the first day of sales, it’s impossible to say whether the device will land anywhere else later in the year.

Unlocked

Very simply, this is an unlocked smartphone. What this means is that it can be taken to GSM carriers in the United States and be used with GSM carriers around the world. So, for those that have AT&T or T-Mobile LTE or HSPA+ in their area, this is a device worth considering as it will run on those networks in the United States.

The HTC One Nexus is a solid travel companion.

It’s also going to be beneficial for those that travel thanks to its global capabilities. There are many phones that can’t do that but many of them are not an HTC One with Nexus software or capabilities.

8 Comments

Tony

06/26/2013 at 5:32 pm

Not a fan that it won’t be able to use T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 42Mbps network as a fall back when LTE not available, only the HSPA+ 21Mbps. (This article doesn’t point that fact out, but then it is Gottabemobile). Now to learn that no direct updates without going thru HTC puts another damper on it. The article also doesn’t address the effect on the camera operation using straight Android without Sense 5. Definitely need to find out about that.

Giles

06/27/2013 at 1:01 am

I’ll take the 32GB of the HTC One over the built in 16GB on the S4 (which is over half full on the non-nexus edition version). Moving apps to SD card doesn’t always work which leaves you with a fairly crippled device if you get the 16GB S4 (many countries don’t have the 32GB model yet).

It is so obvious that the writer is not a fan boy of HTC, rather a huge fan boy of Galaxy s4, I own both, and let me tell you, HTC don’t look back… faster, better screen, better outdoor visibility, better camera, better colors, much faster and friendly UI, best ever sound and of course the most beauty on the market. Did not see any of these…I would expect more objectivity, aren’t you all?